Local students to get a Head Start next year

HIGH school students across Geelong will soon be able to finish with an apprenticeship or traineeship, ready for work in high demand and high growth industries through a state government program.

Minister for Education James Merlino visited Surf Coast Secondary College and Geelong High School recently to announce the new Head Start Apprenticeships and Traineeships initiative would launch there next year.

Head Start will deliver up to 1,700 new apprenticeships and traineeships at 100 secondary schools across Victoria in what will be effectively be Year 13 for the students.

As well as Surf Coast Secondary College and Geelong High School, local schools to take part include Northern Bay P-12 College, Nelson Park School, Western Heights Secondary College, North Geelong Secondary College, Lara Secondary College, Matthew Flinders Girls’ Secondary College, Bellarine Secondary College, Belmont High School, Grovedale College, Oberon High School and Newcomb Secondary College.

Schools will get additional support and funding to help run Head Start. This includes a school-based Head Start co-ordinator to help deliver the initiative, providing employment and vocational pathway advice and one-on-one support to students.

“Every child, in every community deserves attention and support to succeed at school and beyond – which is exactly what we are delivering in Geelong,” Mr Merlino said.